Author Topic: Best Cafe Racer candidate? (Read 15850 times)

GroovieGhoulie · « **on:** December 20, 2005, 10:31:25 AM »

I'm thinking of doing a Cafe Project soon and don't quite know what I want to build it on.

The 400 is easily the lightest and best handler of the bunch, but needs a shot of power unless you like riding like a GP racer everywhere you go. (Not necessarily a bad thing for a Cafe).

The 500/550 is quite nearly a perfect balance of power, handling and brakes, but is still heavier than the 400 (I'm a Colin Chapman-esque lightness freak).

The 750 is heavy, but has gobs of power and Carpy has proven that the "500-pounder" can be made into a SWEET machine.

Ideas?

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2005, 10:39:41 AM »

You might find that Cafe parts for the 750 are more expensive, so I'd go for a 500 as a first shot. (and maybe I will one day...)

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2005, 10:45:54 AM »

Whats wrong with a 350 twin??

Tons of aftermarket race parts for making a street legal race bike........

Phaedrus · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2005, 08:35:13 PM »

CB550. A nice balance in my opinion. Plus, down the line you could put a 650 motor in it if you want.

heffay · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2005, 10:08:25 PM »

well, not sure i'd go so far as ohiocaferacer seeing that this is not a twin site BUT why not any of the other single overhead cam fours?

but, i'd go with the 400f... least thats my next project

seaweb11 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2005, 11:33:51 PM »

Kind of a personal question, but how tall are you, how much do you weigh?

At 6'2" 180lbs I like the bigger bikes, never a lack of umph

although, I know you can make some of the smaller ones go like Sh*%

heffay · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2005, 11:52:46 PM »

Quote from: seaweb11 on December 20, 2005, 11:33:51 PM

Kind of a personal question, but how tall are you, how much do you weigh?

At 6'2" 180lbs I like the bigger bikes, never a lack of umph although, I know you can make some of the smaller ones go like Sh*%

they already do!

Jim Shea · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2005, 02:31:37 AM »

Got to be the 750F, it is already ugly, the others are pretty. Imho, as I ride one I feel i can say this!

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2005, 04:47:10 AM »

As far as height/weight, I'm no runway model at 5'11" and 185-190, but I'm losing the weight and should be down to 170-175 in a few months.

My only bike right now is a 400F and despite the people saying it's underpowered for "big" people. it's more than adequate for me. I just use the gearbox a lot, which is fine considering what a great gearbox it is.

kghost · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2005, 11:20:51 AM »

Just had to weigh in on this one...........................

350F Good little bike that wasn't made too many years. Pretty all by itself. Not enough smash though.

400F Good little bike that also wasn't made too many years. Better power. Worth more if they haven't been messed with.

500/550 Good bikes. Balanced and light. Good cafe if you want a lighter bike.

650 There was a 650?

750 Great power. If there was ever a bike that needed a diet this was it.

The whole purpose of a cafe was to make the bike lighter and handle better. As the mass went up and the power went down the later bike sure seemed in need of a weight reduction program.
Cafe was the English answer to the bobber and the chopper here in the USA. If it doesn't make it go faster, handle better, or stop.....saw it off.
I think the answer to your question would be to take something you got cheap and that is not particularly desirable. Then turn it into something that out performs the original and reflects your own tastes and style (both riding and visual).

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2006, 09:17:49 PM »

The only SOHC4 with any real "race cred" was the mighty 750, the others were way too fragile to consider as serious racers, but I believe girls and English homosexuals like to ride them?

ofreen · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2006, 11:05:09 PM »

Quote from: Jim Shea on December 21, 2005, 02:31:37 AM

Got to be the 750F, it is already ugly, ......

Blasphemy!

Jim Shea · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:04:36 AM »

Sorry, it's unfair to say it is ugly... what I meant was, that it is not as pretty as the K.

ofreen · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2006, 10:03:35 AM »

Quote from: Jim Shea on January 27, 2006, 02:04:36 AM

Sorry, it's unfair to say it is ugly... what I meant was, that it is not as pretty as the K.

Ha ha. It's OK. Both models have their own appeal to my eyes.

Jim Shea · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2006, 02:44:11 AM »

I agree, almost all bikes have some appeal. I can't get away from my love of 4 pipes though.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:06:06 AM »

Quote from: Jim Shea on January 28, 2006, 02:44:11 AM

I agree, almost all bikes have some appeal. I can't get away from my love of 4 pipes though.

Here ya go Jimmy, how much appeal has this one got? For more pics of this monstrosity see Ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB-Chopped-Stretched-Honda-350-Chopper-Project-not-orange-co-chopper_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ80647QQitemZ4606835952QQrdZ1

Cheers, Terry.

dusterdude · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:10:06 AM »

i cant believe someone has bid 300 dollars on that thing

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:46:15 AM »

Quote from: dusterdude on January 28, 2006, 04:10:06 AM

i cant believe someone has bid 300 dollars on that thing

I'm guessing they want the front end Dusty........................

Jim Shea · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2006, 01:54:22 AM »

I meant 'most' unmolested bikes have some kind of appeal! Bloody hell, $300, someone is insane, but if you live in a state called Misery, maybe it makes sense?

dusterdude · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2006, 06:17:52 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 28, 2006, 04:46:15 AM

Quote from: dusterdude on January 28, 2006, 04:10:06 AM
i cant believe someone has bid 300 dollars on that thing

I'm guessing they want the front end Dusty........................

no #$%*in way

heffay · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2006, 06:32:47 PM »

way to ruin a perfectly decent cafe thread guys!

scunny · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2006, 10:41:51 PM »

wheres the 650 in the choice list. I'm starting with a 1980 CB650, they came out ugly, so an old racer alloy tank (which luckily I now own), single seat and cut off the rest of the rear end, I think it will look the part.
I am using the bike in my avatar as my inspiration

Gordon · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:12:23 AM »

Quote from: scunny on January 29, 2006, 10:41:51 PM

wheres the 650 in the choice list.

Anything's possible, I guess...

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2006, 12:22:36 PM »

I have to vote for the good ol' CB750.
They only weigh 500 lbs. in stock form.

The center stand is 1/2 of that weight

I am gonna have my bike weighed soon, to see how much
weight I stripped off over the winter

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2006, 03:39:40 PM »

I omitted the 350 and 650 initially because I don't think they are good candidates for starting points.

The 650 lacks a kickstarter and is starting to move more toward the lo-slung "American" style of bike with it's aesthetics. Gonna spend more to get it the way you want.

The 400 is a modified 350 and if you take the 350 all the way to town, you are covering ground that Honda already covered in the 400, so the 400 makes a better starting point than the 350.

The only ones I would consider, FOR ME, are the 550, 750 and 400, but I included the 500 because the better 550 engine ad gearbox can be dropped right into the 500 frame. Though I guess you could drop the 400 motor right into the 350 frame.

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Which model would make the best cafe and why?

Author Topic: Best Cafe Racer candidate? (Read 15850 times)

Jim Shea

Jim Shea

Jim Shea

Jim Shea